Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in Judaism. It is a day of fasting and prayer that is celebrated on the 10th of the Hebrew month of Tishrei.

Yom Kippur marks the end of the Ten Days of Repentance. According to Jewish belief, on Yom Kippur judgment is passed on each person for the coming year.

Jews traditionally fast from the evening of the holy day until the following night. This is a holiday ordained in the Torah, where it is called a Shabbat of Solemn Rest, a day on which no productive work can be done.

Even though most of the Jewish population in Israel is not religiously observant, Yom Kippur has and remains a special day for all and has retained its unique character. Many Jews who define themselves as secular, attend synagogue and fast on this special day.

Holiday Customs

Fasting – The Torah states that on this day Jews are to “afflict their souls” by abstaining from both food and drink.

Blowing of the shofar – At the close of the holiday, the shofar (ram’s horn) is blown.

Selichot – In the days leading up to Yom Kippur and on the holiday itself, it is customary to ask people for forgiveness. According to tradition, Yom Kippur atones for the sins between man and God, but not between people, who must grant each other forgiveness.

Important Information

On Yom Kippur there is almost no traffic on the roads. Instead, you will see the streets filled with children on bicycles, skates and skateboards. All businesses are closed on Yom Kippur, including those that are usually open on Shabbat. All Israeli radio and TV broadcasts are also suspended.

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Christian Events Calender

In the Catholic tradition, the entire month of May is devoted to the Virgin Mary and the faithful congregate for daily prayers to her. The Visitation recalls the meeting of the two future Mothers: the Virgin Mary and Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. The feast and the afternoon procession mark the end of this month of prayer.

Highlights of the feast
Jerusalem, Ein Kerem and the Old City - The Catholic Church of the Visitation is located in Ein Kerem, on a hill slope above the Ein Kerem spring. In the morning, a Mass is celebrated in the church of the Visitation. In the afternoon, a procession honoring the Virgin Mary marches through the Christian quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

This day commemorates the finding of the True Cross in Jerusalem by St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, in the 4th century CE.

Highlights of the feast

Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross:
On the eve of the feast (6.5) Vespers are sung. On the day of the feast (7.5), Mass is celebrated, followed by a solemn procession through the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, led by the Custos holding a relic of the Holy Cross.

This day commemorates the finding of the True Cross in Jerusalem by St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, in the 4th century CE.

Highlights of the feast

Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross:
On the eve of the feast (6.5) Vespers are sung. On the day of the feast (7.5), Mass is celebrated, followed by a solemn procession through the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, led by the Custos holding a relic of the Holy Cross.